Factors Influencing Low Immunization Coverage Among Children Between 12 - 23 Months in East Pokot, Baringo Country, Kenya

Abstract

Immunization is one of the major public health interventions to avoid childhood illnesses and mortality. Without the same, more than five million children would die each year and many more fall ill. In spite of the fact that approximate global routine measles vaccination coverage was 82% in 2007, about 23.2 million children remained unvaccinated of which 15.3 million (65%) are from eight countries in Africa. The complete immunization coverage in Kenya in 2003 was 57 % and this rose gradually in 2007 to 77%. However, an estimated 35% of new-borns had not been immunized in 2006, translating to 0.5 million unvaccinated children in the country. Notwithstanding, very low immunization coverage remains a challenge in some Counties such as East Pokot Baringo County at about 25% and factors influencing low coverage are unknown. A cross sectional population study was undertaken between January 2014 and March 2015 to determine the factors influencing low immunization coverage. Simple random sampling was used to select respondents. Data was collected using pretested structured questionnaires through house to house visits and analyzed using Epi info version 7 statistical software. Prevalence odds ratio was used to establish association of relevant factors with immunization coverage. Statistical significance was defined at p 0.05. Complete immunization coverage was 23%. Coverage for specific vaccines was; BCG (82%), OPV0 (34%), OPV 1(68%), OPV2 (62%), OPV3 (55%), DPTHepB1 (67%), DPTHepB2 (61%), DPTHepB3 (55%), Measles (46%). Predictors of full immunization possibly included number of children within the family, Knowledge of immunization schedule, Literacy level, place of birth of the child, nomadic lifestyle, economic status and the distance to the nearest health facility. Complete immunization coverage is low. Efforts to improve vaccination coverage must take into account the immunization determinants found in this study. There is need to focus on strengthening of awareness strategies, increasing the number of health facilities with Health workers and strengthening integrated outreach services.